AgNet Online

In these reports, comments from USDA Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner (photo) from an exclusive interview with Southeast AgNet Friday after House and Senate both passed a farm bill compromise that the Bush Administration has all kinds of problems with. While Conner agrees there are some good things in the bill for specialty crops, including citrus, there are also some issues with the bill that could cause a major shoe drop later with respect to world trade partners who are expected to cry foul. Report (1:30 mp3) Report (1:30 mp3)

USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service released their May 1 Cattle on Feed numbers this afternoon which showed a drop over last year at this time.  Report (1:00 mp3)

From beef schedule to soon start heading for South Korea, to live cattle moving into Mexico, NCBA President Andy Groseta is pleased with the latest boosts to the U.S. cattle industry.  Report (1:00 mp3)

When it comes to implementing a new farm bill,  Tyron Spearman says there’s a lot to be done by the Farm Service Agency.  Report (1:05 mp3)

Nomination meetings for three positions on the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Cotton are coming up.

May 28 at 10 am, Lee County Farm Bureau, Leesburg
May 28 at 3 pm, Bleckley County Farm Bureau, Cochran
May 29 at 3 pm, Morgan County Farm Bureau, Madison

All cotton producers in those areas are urged to participate in making nominations for the commission.

Report(:30 mp3)

(OKEECHOBEE, Fla.)—Twenty-nine farmers were honored for their environmental stewardship Thursday at the Okeechobee County Agri-Civic Center. The owners of the agricultural operations were recognized by Florida Farm Bureau’s County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship (CARES) program for their outstanding efforts in implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs).
Rep. Denise Grimsley hosted the event along with Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson, Florida Farm Bureau President John L. Hoblick and Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Mike Sole attending to help recognize the farmers. (more…)

Some people think that what has been happening is a myth.  Everett Griner breaks it down for us today and tries to help us answer this question.  Report (1:00 mp3)

LAKELAND, Fla. (May 15, 2008) – Florida Citrus Mutual Executive VP/CEO Michael W. Sparks Thursday urged President Bush to sign the Farm Bill into law after both the U.S. House and Senate passed the measure by veto-proof majorities.
“President Bush should sign this bill which for the first time ever recognizes the importance of fruit and vegetables,” Sparks said. “This historic bill is good for Florida citrus growers.” (more…)

In these reports, straight talk from central Florida Congressman Adam Putnam about passage of the House/Senate Farm Bill compromise by huge bi-partisan margins on both sides of the Congressional aisle. With President Bush threatening a veto, Putnam poses a question and points out there are easily enough votes to override the veto in both House and Senate. Report (2:00 mp3) Report (2:00 mp3)

(Gainesville, Fla.) – The 2008 farm bill passed yesterday by the House of Representatives promises to be more supportive of Florida agricultural producers than previous bills, according to Florida Farm Bureau President John L. Hoblick.
“This farm bill contains a safety net for commodities, increased funds for conservation programs and mandatory spending for specialty crops,” Hoblick said. “It is the best agriculture policy ever for Florida.” (more…)

Today Tyron Spearman updates where things stand with the peanut harvest in Argentina, and also has information about new products being offered by Golden Peanut Company.  Report 1 (:30 mp3)   Report 2 (:15 mp3)

There are some on Capitol Hill who are beginning to change their thoughts about the renewable fuels mandate due to how it’s affecting livestock producers across the country. Report (1:00 mp3)

The Senate passed the 2007 Farm Bill on Thursday by an even larger margin than the House - voting 81 to 15 in favor of the Farm, Nutrition and Bioenergy Act of 2008, despite the threat of a presidential veto.

Senate Ag Committee ranking Republican Saxby Chambliss of Georgia says the bill is good for farmers, better for the hungry.

Report 1(1:00 mp3)

Senate Ag Committee chairman Tom Harkin of Iowa says the bill is a win-win for agriculture and the public and is especially good for specialty crop growers.

Report 2(1:00 mp3)

The House passed the 2007 Farm Bill on Wednesday by an apparently veto-proof vote of 318 to 106. The Senate is expected to pass the bill today.

Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer says the president will veto the bill even though he knows it will be hard for Congress to vote against it with so many “presents” in it for constituents everywhere.

Report 1(1:00 mp3)

Everyone seems to support the Farm Bill except the president, including a broad coalition of 557 organizations who sent a letter this week to Congress in support of the legislation.

Report 2(1:00 mp3)

Debate over increased production of ethanol and the impact on food prices has been the subject of recent hearings in Congress. Laura McNamara has two reports.

Report (1:00 mp3)

Report (1:00 mp3)

Valent USA has received federal registration from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Presidio™ Fungicide in leafy vegetables, cucurbits, fruiting vegetables and grapes.

Read more from Valent.

Report (1:00 mp3)

Cotton planting is running behind normal nationwide according to USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service, but in the southeast, progress is right about on schedule

Report (1:00 mp3)

Some compounds found in fruits and vegetables appear to help fight certain types of cancer, including leukemia, breast, colon and prostate cancer.

Report (1:00 mp3)

Lots of folks know honeybee populations are having their troubles, but what worries people more, sweet side issues or pollenation concerns? It’s Everett Griner’s topic in this edition of Agri-View.

 Report (1:00 mp3)

Members of the U. S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Compromise Committee version of the Farm Bill late Wednesday afternoon. The Senate is expected to do the same shortly. It’s expected the President will follow through on his veto threat, even though he must know the margin of votes needed to override his veto exists. It is also expected WTO may have some issues with this Farm Bill version, too. Commentary in this report. Report (2:00 mp3)

We got the news release posted below from the Washington D C office of central Florida Congressman Adam Putnam moments after the U. S. House voted overwhelmingly to support the Compromise Committee version of the Farm Bill. Putnam was a member of the Conference Committee.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Adam H. Putnam (R-Fla.) today announced his strong support for the Farm Bill (HR 2419, The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008). As a Farm Bill Conferee, Putnam worked with his colleagues to craft the five-year farm policy measure. (more…)

In this report, Florida Citrus Mutual Spokesman Andrew Meadows discusses the monies allocated by this year’s state legislature, in a very tight budget year, toward citrus research specifically. And stay tuned, we’ll have a few more segments with Meadows in the days ahead about other actions by this year’s legislature that have impacts in the citrus community.
Report (2:00 mp3)

The 2008 Corn Silage and Forage Field day will be held May 29th in Citra, Florida which is a joint venture between the University of Florida and University of Georgia. Report (1:00 mp3)

The 2008 Corn Silage and Forage Field Day will be held at the UF/IFAS Plant Science and Education Research Unit in Citra, FL. There is no charge for this event, but registrations should be mailed by May 19, 2008, or faxed to Pam Gross at (352) 392-9059, by May 27, 2008, to ensure your reservation for a sponsored lunch. To register or to view the agenda, please visit http://animal.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/CSFD/index.shtml. (more…)

Those in livestock production are well aware of the rising input costs, and that’s why Auburn University Economist, Dr. Walt Prevatt, says it’s important to manage those feed costs. Report (1:00 mp3)

Tyron Spearman looks at some of the information affecting peanut growers in the new farm bill. Report (1:15 mp3)

Here’s Florida Farm Bureau’s legislative Ag Watch May 16, 2008 (pdf file)

Dear Citrus Mutual Members and Friends:
It’s time to mobilize! The U.S. House of Representatives will vote today on the Farm Bill. For the first time this bill provides a significant investment in fruit and vegetables. The bill authorizes almost $1.5 billion in mandatory spending for programs that benefit fruit and vegetable growers. (more…)

With everything changing due to ethanol, there is one thing that has not changed and Everett Griner tells us just what that is and how.

  Report (1:00 mp3)

Those in agriculture have been busy trying to get all the specifics of the new version of the farm bill to see how it affects them, and according to NCBA’s Colin Woodall, it’s a good bill for cattlemen.   Report (1:00 mp3)

Today Tyron Spearman tells us about one Congressman who has a lot of peanut acres in his district, and how he is proud of the new farm bill they’ve worked out.   Report (:45 mp3)